Category: NHL-Teams

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed defensemen David Schlemko to a two-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to sign David to a multi-year contract," said Maloney. "David is a skilled defenseman and has developed into a reliable player for us. In today's game where skating, mobility and puck movement are so important for defensemen, David's talent makes us a better team."

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Schlemko has recorded 0-2-2 in nine games with the Coyotes this season. He ranks second on the team with 26 blocked shots.

Tokarski, 23, played 33 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) since the start of the 2012-13 season posting a record of 18 wins, 8 losses and 4 overtime losses along with a 2.46 goals against average and .900 save percentage.

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired forward Jean-Francois Jacques from the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

Jacques, 27, has played in 24 games this season with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League, collecting five goals and seven points to go along with 37 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-3, 231-pound left winger ranks tied for first on the Rampage with three power play goals.

The Montreal, Quebec native has skated in 166 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks, recording nine goals and 17 points to go along with 197 penalty minutes. Last season Jacques appeared in six games with the Ducks and tallied 12 penalty minutes

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced today they have signed centre Steve Begin.

“Steve worked very hard during camp and demonstrated that he is an effective player killing penalties, making life difficult for opposing players and providing a spark and positive energy when needed,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster. “He earned the right to be part of our opening day roster, and we are very pleased to have him under contract this season. The fact that he’s returning home to our organization makes the story even better.”

Begin attended Flames training camp on a professional try-out agreement after taking last season off due to a hip injury. The 34 year old native of Trois Rivieres, Quebec is in his second tour of duty with Calgary after suiting up for the Flames from 1997-2003 playing in 123 games and scoring 11 goals, seven assists for 18 points and 192 penalty minutes. Begin was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 2nd round with the 40th overall pick in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks President & General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have signed defenceman Jim Vandermeer.

Vandermeer, 32, has played in 461 NHL games, recording 105 points (25-80-105) and 664 penalty minutes. The 6’1”, 208 lbs. defenceman split the 2011.12 season with the Edmonton Oilers (2-12-14 in 62 games played) and San Jose Sharks (1-3-4 in 25 games played). In 21 playoff contests, he has registered two assists and 17 penalty minutes.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed right wing Eric Fehr to a one-year, $600,000 contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Fehr, 27, recorded 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) and was a plus-13 in 21 games with HPK of the SM-liiga (Finland) this season. He led the team in goals and was tied for second in points despite playing in just 21 of the team’s 39 games. In 2011-12, Fehr tallied two goals, one assist and 12 penalty minutes in 35 games with the Winnipeg Jets. He was traded to Winnipeg by Washington on July 8, 2011, in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick (Thomas Di Pauli) and Danick Paquette.

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks President & General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have signed defenceman Cam Barker to a one-year deal.

Barker, 26, dressed in 23 games this season with the AHL Texas Stars, recording eight points (3-5-8) and 24 penalty minutes. He spent the 2011.12 season with the Edmonton Oilers where he registered two points (2-0-2) and 23 penalty minutes in 25 games. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native has played 296 career NHL games, collecting 94 points (21-73-94) and 286 penalty minutes. In 17 playoff games, he registered nine points (3-6-9) and two penalty minutes.

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired center Luke Pither (PIH-tuhr) from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for goaltender Brian Boucher and defenseman Mark Alt. Pither will be assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).

SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the team has acquired forward Tim Kennedy from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Sean Sullivan. Kennedy has been assigned to Worcester, San Jose’s top development affiliate in the American Hockey League.

Kennedy, 25, has split the season between Florida and San Antonio (NHL). He posted two points (1-1=2) in 27 NHL games with Florida this season and added nine points (3-6=9) in 18 AHL games with San Antonio. In 112 career NHL games with Buffalo and Florida, he has posted 29 points (11-18=29). He appeared in six playoff games in 2009-10 with Buffalo registering three points (1-2=3).

The five-foot-ten, 175-pound native of Buffalo, New York was originally selected by Washington in the sixth round (181st overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Sullivan, 27, was second amongst Worcester defensemen this season with 24 points (5-19=24) in 32 games. He appeared in 105 games with Worcester in the last two seasons recording 59 points (17-42=59).